😐A single person spends $932 per month in Chiang Mai vs $337 in Khulna, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,399 per month in Chiang Mai vs $541 in Khulna, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $1,866 per month in Chiang Mai vs $744 in Khulna, rent included.
😐Chiang Mai costs about 176% more than Khulna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Chiang Mai and Khulna are more affordable than the global median – Chiang Mai32% lower, Khulna75% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.08฿69.1
$1.40৳172
48.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.61฿651
$7.26৳891
170.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.67฿188
$3.94৳485
43.91%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.14৳263
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.43৳790
-
Cappuccino
$1.81฿59.9
$0.70৳86.2
158.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77฿25.51
$0.29৳35.89
165.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35฿11.46
$0.14৳16.68
150.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21฿73.5
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79฿126
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.05฿68.0
$0.73৳89.3
180.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51฿50.3
$0.42৳51.3
259.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.40฿46.44
$0.61৳74.9
129.51%
Eggs
$2.26฿75.0
$1.14৳140
98.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.19฿538
$9.73৳1,196
66.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.90฿96.2
$2.59৳319
11.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.42฿313
$6.35৳780
48.35%
Apples(1kg)
$2.68฿88.9
$2.45৳301
9.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.09฿36.18
$0.65৳79.3
67.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.62฿53.7
$2.20৳271
-26.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46฿48.48
$0.65৳79.3
124.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28฿42.42
$0.31৳38.70
312.90%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06฿35.12
$0.56৳69.1
89.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.72฿23.81
$0.67৳82.0
7.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53฿17.46
$0.26৳31.89
103.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$7.92৳973
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.58৳317
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.83৳716
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.23฿140
$3.06৳375
38.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.29฿607
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63฿54.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90฿96.3
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88฿29.16
$0.29৳35.78
203.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$53.8฿1,785
$8.08৳993
565.47%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.17฿38.93
$0.59৳72.3
98.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58฿19.20
$0.17৳20.76
241.18%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.39฿79.2
$2.91৳358
-17.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.45฿48.15
$1.02৳125
42.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K฿697.6K
$23.2K৳2.8M
-9.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K฿877.3K
$18.9K৳2.3M
39.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.7฿2,113
$35.37৳4,346
79.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.89฿428
$6.09৳748
111.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.52฿681
$20.47৳2,515
0.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.02฿1,295
$13.74৳1,688
183.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.92฿130
$12.09৳1,486
-67.58%
Cinema Ticket
$6.58฿218
$4.17৳512
57.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$784฿26.0K
$16.35৳2,009
4694.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.7K฿487.1K
$1,363৳167.5K
976.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1฿1,830
$28.06৳3,448
96.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.74฿821
$36.82৳4,524
-32.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.1฿3,125
$32.49৳3,992
189.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.0฿2,455
$34.23৳4,205
116.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$490฿16.3K
$63.5৳7,801
672.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$288฿9,568
$39.61৳4,867
627.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891฿29.6K
$165৳20.3K
440.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$521฿17.3K
$83.8৳10.3K
522.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,974฿65.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,444฿48.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chiang Mai
Khulna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$602฿20.0K
$147৳18.0K
310.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.57
10
-44.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chiang Mai: September 13, 2026
Last update for Khulna: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $490 in Chiang Mai versus $63.5 in Khulna. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 310% higher in Chiang Mai, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Chiang Mai versus $7.00 in Khulna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $241 vs $116 – making Khulna the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Chiang Mai vs Khulna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Chiang Mai or Khulna?
Chiang Mai costs about 176% more than Khulna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Chiang Mai and in Khulna?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,398 per month in Chiang Mai and $506 in Khulna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Chiang Mai or Khulna?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Khulna, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Chiang Mai and in Khulna?
Kindergarten costs $784 per month in Chiang Mai and $16.35 in Khulna. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Chiang Mai or in Khulna?
Groceries cost about 108% more in Chiang Mai, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Chiang Mai or in Khulna?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Khulna, where all-in costs run around $337, than in Chiang Mai at $932. In Khulna it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chiang Mai it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Chiang Mai or Khulna?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Khulna costs $337 versus $932 in Chiang Mai. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Chiang Mai compared to Khulna?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Chiang Mai or to Khulna?
If budget matters most, go with Khulna. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chiang Mai makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Chiang Mai vs other spots: cost of living compared